spite
Say it: SPYTE /spaɪt/ · noun
What “spite” means
Wanting to hurt or annoy someone.
More precisely: A desire to hurt, annoy or offend someone.
Example: “She unfollowed him out of spite after the argument.”
When to use it
For deliberately unkind actions meant to upset someone, often after a disagreement. Usually appears in “out of spite”.
Similar words
malice, vindictiveness, ill will
Quick check
After an argument, you hide your flatmate's remote purely to annoy them. What makes you do it?
rancor or spite?
Show the answer
spite
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